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  Wednesday, Sep. 29 10:30pm ET
Galaxy opens four-point lead in West
 
  RECAP | BOX SCORE

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) -- Cobi Jones scored in both halves and Steve Jolley added a first-half goal as the Los Angeles Galaxy defeated the Colorado Rapids 4-0 Wednesday night, solidifying their hold on first place in Major League Soccer's Western Conference.

The victory before a Rose Bowl crowd announced at 10,098 moved the Galaxy (19-11) four points ahead of second-place Colorado (19-10) in the race for the conference lead and home field advantage in the first two rounds of the playoffs.

Los Angeles has two matches remaining, the Rapids three. MLS teams receive three points for regulation victories, one for shootout victories and none for losses.

Goalkeeper Kevin Hartman did not need to make a save as he posted his 10th shutout of the season and 20th of his MLS career, one behind Kansas City's Tony Meola, who holds the four-year-old league's record.

It was the first time in the Rapids' history that the team did not get off a shot on goal, continuing an offensive slump that has seen Colorado score just three goals in its last 10 matches.

Los Angeles wasted no time scoring, with Jolley out-jumping Rapids forward Jorge Dely Valdes in the fifth minute to take Greg Vanney's corner kick, then put a header from 10 yards out into the upper left corner of the net.

The goal was Jolley's second of the season and first since May 23, when he headed in Vanney's corner kick in the third minute of a 1-0 victory over New England.

Jones' first goal gave the Galaxy a 2-0 lead in the 36th minute.

Roy Myers began that scoring sequence by sending a chip into the penalty area that was deflected by Rapids midfielder Darren Sawatzky to Los Angeles midfielder Mauricio Cienfuegos. With his back to the goal, Cienfuegos volleyed the ball diagonally to the on-rushing Jones on the left side, who put a six-yard shot past goalkeeper Ian Feuer.

Jones scored his second goal and team-leading eighth of the season in the 56th minute, deflecting in Ezra Hendrickson's drive from three yards out. Seth George came off the bench to score in the 89th minute off fellow rookie Marvin Quijano's assist.

The Galaxy led 14-7 in shots and 6-0 in shots on goal. Feuer made one save.

 


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RECAPS
Los Angeles 4
Colorado 0